Press



l May 31 '1932 J. c. LEDBETTER 1,860,508

PRESS Filed oct. 15, r192e 2 sheets-sheen 1 INVENTR Y Jamba (amr-aa leaeffer May 31, 1932. J. c. L EDBETVTr-:R

` PRESS Filed Oo't. l5', 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet `Patented May 31, 1932 UNITEo STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES CAMROD LEDBETTER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T THE PROSPERITY COM PANY, INC., OF SYRAIIUSIVEl NEW YORK, .A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK PRESS Application led October 15, 1928. Serial N o. 312,502.

' This invention relates to pressing machines suitable for use in connection with pressing garments and ironing work in laundries and the like.

` A general object of the invention is to produce a press having a new and useful motor means which not only operates to produce high compression on thework between the press jaws but also functions to transmit steamor other heated fluidV to the heating chamber or chambers in'one or both of the press jaws.

is a .further object to produce a power prss wherein a motor device or means, such as a Huid-pressure motor, is alsoqutilized as a flexible connection. In this respect I make of the motor device, a flexible fluid conduit. Conversely the flexible conduit is itself constituted as the motor means. Hence there is a great reduction of parts and simplicity in the press construction. j

v A still further object is to so constitute the motor means and the iiexible fluid pressure conduit that this member or element also serves the purpose of adjusting the iit of the press aws to unevenness inherent in different kinds of work and to this end the jaw which is actuated bythe motor means and flexible steam connection is caused to move in 'function or wabble and hence the press jaw surface adjustsitself, gives and compensates to unevenness caused by seams, edges and other unevenness and variable thickness found in different classes of garments or other work to be pressed.

It is also an object to produce a safety means by which lto positively prevent an accident during the operation of the press and to this end there is provided what is known as a two-hand control mechanism which compels the press operator to employ both hands in initiating the operation of the machine to produce nal pressure. l J

Having the above and other purposes in View, the invention has relation to the principles of structure and operation shown in the example of the invention in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view of the press with its jaws in closed position but before reaching final pressing position. The lower press jaw or buck is shown in section so as to disclose the combination Huid-pressure motor means and flexible steam connectionsleading to the press jaw.

Figure 2 shows a front view of the press in closed position but prior to reaching ultimate pressing position and a part of the power actuated jaw, which is here the lower jaw or buck, is shown in section and furtherfmore the combination fluid-expansive motor and flexible connection is likewise shown in section.

Referring further to the drawings for a more detailed description of the invention, there is shown a press frame 5 and operating means are provided to actuate press jaws including a head 6 and buck 7. The operating means includes a vertically disposed upright 8 attached to the head 6 to'swing it back and Jforth, across the buck 7 and also includes a combination Huid-pressure expansive motor and ieXible steam conduit 9 for producing final pressure after thevjaws v6 and 7 are closed. In other words the motion of arm 8 opens and closes the press head relatively to the buck7 and motion of the expansible diaphragm 9 raises and lowers the` buck 7 to produce and release jaw compres'- sion. At the same time the diaphragm motor means 9 conveys steam to the buck 7 to heat the same as will be explained.

The swingable upright 8 may include a handle 10A and the upright is pivotedat 11 on the frame under or below the press jaws and a pedal 12 is provided to' aid an operator in swinging thehead 6 back and forth over the buck -7. To this end the pedal 12 is here shown as being integral with the upright 8.

The operator presses the pedal 12 and may if desired simultaneously pull forwardly on the handle 10 to actuate the head 6 back and a l forth to open and close the press. A kickupright 8 and may have its ends connected.

, chamber 18-19 providesdmeans for circulating steam or any other work-conditioning fluid throughout the length of the press jaw 7 by which it is raised to a pressing or working temperature. The heating chamber 18-19 terminates at each end on the underneath surface thereof in an opening or port 21 and two` such openings 21 are here provided and they are spaced apart and adapted to be connected with two combination niotor and `flexible fluid connection means 9 above mentioned. Steam to heat the press jaws 7 enters one aw opening 21 and flows from the other opening 21 and hence there is provided a circulation through the press jaw 7 because the steam iows through the lower chamber 19 and up through the upper chamber 18 and the buck is well heated.

A exible motor bellows and flexible connection 9 is ada ted as a motor, means as a flexible conduit or transmitting steanrto the heating chamber 18-19 of the movable press -jaw 7, and-also constitutes apress jaw compensator in that the device9 affords jaw adjustment and compensation to work of uneven character. For this purpose a circularcorrugated c lindrically shaped metal bellows 9 is used. In the present construct-ion two bellows are employed but any other suitable number may be used. VThe upper end of each bellows is sealed tothe jaw 7 over its respective steam opening or port 21.

Each bellows 9l is sealed to the jaw 7 in any suitable way as for example by a flange 23. The upper rim of the bellows is clamped between the smooth wall surface of the jaw 7 and the flange 23 and a bolt or other means may be used to effect this clamp and sealed joint connection made Huid-pressure tight. The lower end of the bellows is sealed onto the frame table 5 in a similar way by employina flange or ring 24 and bolts or other means y which the rim of the diaphragm is utilized as a gasket and is squeezed between the table 5 and flange 24 thus making a fluidpressure sealed joint between the table 5 and the flexible diaphragm. This type of cylindrically-corrugated diaphragm is sometimes called a sylphon and which is a trade mark name adopted by The Fulton Company for the device 9 in question.` While a bellowstype or cylindrically-corrugated diaphragm is shown in this exampleof the invention, any other character of diaphragm or device, which serves the same purpose or purposes, may be used.

A steam conduit or pipe 26 is screw fastened ,in the table 5 under one diaphragm and another steam conduit 27 is screw fastened to the table under the other diaphragm. In this way a circulation of steam is obtained throughout the press jaw 7 since steam may enter one conduit 26 and discharge from the press through the other pipe A27. Both steam conduits 26 and 27 open directly into the two diaphragms 9 and hence steam flows to the heating chamber to heatl the buck 7. The expansion of steam in the diaphragms 9 causes the latter to expand with great force and thereby lift the jaw 7 upwardly against the pressing surface of the head 6.

Not only do theione, two or more diaphraglns 9 produce jaw compression but they also convey steam from the conduits 26 and 27 to and from the high-pressure movable jaw 7. Therefore the expansible daphragms 9 are utilized for two purposes, first that of transmitting steamwto and from the press jaw y or jaws to heat .the` same, and"`second that lof initiating the necessary expansive force resulting in movement of the jaw 7 so as to produce the necessary pressure between the jaws 6 and 7. The two diaphragm members 9 perform a double purpose and the number of parts in a power press is therefore reduced to a minimum.

Throttle valves 28 and 29 are mounted in the steamA conduits 26 and 27 for controlling the circulation of steam through the press jaw 7 and more particularly for controlling the pressure movement of the jaw 7. The steam valve 28 is more particularly adapted as a three-way valve by which an exhaust pipe 30 is connected thereto. 29 has the usual valvecore 31 to which is fixed a lever or .control-arm 32 to work the valve. Both valve levers 32`are connected by a handle link 33 yso that by this one handie, an operator may` simultaneously open and close both throttle valves 28I and 29.

If desired, one of the valvelevers 32 may have a'- pointer to indicate open position and pressing position as lettered press on the face plate covering one 0r both of the throttle valves. When the handle 33 is set in that'positionFigure 2 indicated open by pointer 32 it follows that the exhaust pipe 30 is open and both steam conduits 26 and 27 are closed so that steam does not flow to the diaphragms 9 to expand them and hence they are open to atmosphere through the exhaust pipe 30. Therefore the weight of the press Jaw 7 causes it to gravitate downwardly to lowermost position and thereby release the compression from the head 6.

On the other hand when the throttle control handle 33 is swung to the left and thc pointer 32 indicates press, it follows that the exhaust pipe 30 is closed and both conduits 26 and 27 are then opened. In this latter position the 'steam freely circulates through the heating chamber 18-19 and both diaphragms 9, and therefore the jaw is Each valve 28 and press `to`avoid jaw Compression at a time when he may be spreading the garment out upon the buck 7, there is provided a safety means in the way of a two-hand control which comprises a double handle arrangement 33 and 35, being two spaced right and left handles. The one handle 33 is connected with both throttle valves 28 and 29 to open and close them while the other handle constitutes a safety lock which engages the valve control lever 32 or other related part to fix the same against movement until said safety handle 35 is actuated to release the lever 32. The handle 35 lis pivoted at 36 on the frame and a spring 37 holds thehandle 35 in positive engagement with the lever 32.

The operator must therefore apply both of his hands to both handles 33 and 35 before the two valve levers 32 can be actuated' to open `the throttle valves 28 and 29. FUnder these conditions the operator cannot accidentally place himself in the position of allowing onehand to linger between the press jaws to adjust and spread the work while he swings thehandle 33 with his other hand.-

The operator must take hold of handle 35.

and disengage it from the lever 32 an'd he is then free' to swing the handle 33 to the left to admit'steam to both diaphragms 9 wherevalves. The high pressure mechanism wouldl be disabled. To avoid this possibility a 'stop rod 39 has its upright end attached to a pin 40 which anchors the rod 39 to the jaw 7 and the link 39 moves freely in a hole 4l in the press table. A buffer comprising a cushion spring stop means42 is carried on the lower end of the stop rod 39 and thestop ft2k engages the lower face of the frame table 5 to limit the upward displacementl of the jaw 7 in case steam should ever be turned on when the head 6 is not above the jaw to receive pressure therefrom and to thus limit the buck movement.- Either the head 6 or buffer 39-42 will stop the upward movement of the high compressionjaw.

Another Yfeature to lbe explained is that the bellows 9 also compensate for unevenness of work.' It frequently occurs that a piece of work to be pressed is thicker at one place ,thanpanothen For example a garment may have seams or double edges along one slde' or portion and the thin portion thereof would escape pressing unless one jaw or the other is capable of a relative wobbling or rocking motion so that the jaw surfaces may come together. It is readily seen that each` motormeans bellow 9 will expand or stretch independently of the other until'the jaws surfaces from end to end have met.

The ability of the bellows 9 to expand, one bellows expanding more than the other, or

its ability to expand on, acurved axis as dis-- tinguished from` expanding along a straight axis, enables the high compression press jaw 7 to rock and pitch, i. e., to tilt about two horizontal axes intersecting at right angles. In this way the jaw 7 may move either at one edge faster and further than at its other end lor edge. Thus the bellows 9 vcause the jaw contact to compensate for non-uniformity in thickness of work in that the jaws come together against the work over the entiresurfalce thereof. The corrgations in the bellows allow straight expansion or curved expansion and it is this property of the bellows which enablejthem to expand or dilate evenly or unevenly as the case may be so as to lift that end or edge of the jaw which is last to engage the work.

The flange 23 may carry an integral sleeve 23a which loosely fits in a sleeve 24a integral with the liange 24. The two telescoping or interfitting .sleeves 23aA and 24a house and protect the bellows and the looseness in fit allows the compensating wobble movement which is small. In other words if the garment to be pressed has a lapel or edge placed at the front edge of the press jaw, then said front edge of the press jaw is the first edge to engage the work, and it follows that the rear edge of the jaw 7 moves up a distance greater than the front by an amount equal to the thickness of the lapel. The flexible bellows bends. or expands more at its rear portion than at its front portion to compensate for the condition just described, and the interitting sleeves which house the bellows are loose for that purpose, looseness being required so v that the inside sleeve may tilt out of' axial alignment with the axis of the outside sleeve.

The outside sleeves 24a actas a support for the buck 7 since the'flanges 23 drop down and rest on the outside sleeve 24a. The buck 7 drops down to lowermost position of rest on the support sleeves due to the weight thereof when the pressure is discharged from the bellows. f

Each throttle valve 28 and 29 is located respectively under the bellows and hence is close to the motor means to be controlled thereby, and both valves are simultaneously actuated. The two-hand control handle 35 renders the vmachine safe to the operator,'and the stop 13 `case of carelessness by buffer 39 vprevents accidental breakage in the operator.

' It is noteworthy t press head may be heated by leaving it in contact -with the buck 7. When not in actual use ythe press may be closed and the steam turned on which brings the jaws together. In this way the press buck 7 is being heated and heat is transmitted to the head 6 by reason of the fact that the jaws are in contact and in that way the press head is heated. However the press head 6 may be separately heated if desired by any well known means as by steam and a conduit systemtherefor. lVhen the operator is ready to work the press, he swings the handle 33 'to the right until open position is indicated which permits the jaw 7 to gravitate downwardly and thus release the head 6 because the motor means 9 .loose their expansive force thru the exhaust pipe 30 and the press opens so that work may spread upon the buck 7.

While I have shown an upright to mount and swing the press head 6 back and forth to give extended visibility to the buck 7, it is to be recognized that any suitable operating means may be adopted for this purpose. The high pressure motor operating means 9 herein disclosed coacts with any leverage or head actuating mechanism which operates to swing the press jaws apart and the member 8 is 'merely an example of a simple means for this purpose.

The press is simple in construction and operation and comprises few parts in that the motor means, the fluid conduits and the press compensator constitute one and jthe same part orn parts 9 which perform those three functions discussed and which ordinarily heretofore have required a separate number for each'function.

What is claimed is:

1. In a press, cooperating jaws, one of the v jaws being provided with a fluid vreceiving chamber, and a combination motor means and flexible conduit connected to the last named jaw to move the jaw, a fluid connection between the motor means and the fluid receiving chamber, and valve means to admit fluid under pressure into the motor means.

2. In a press, cooperating jaws, one of the jaws being movable and provided with a heating chamber, a metal bellows having peripheral corrugations and which expands underi'fluid pressure admitted thereto, the bellowshaving one end secured to the movable jaw and the interior of the bellows connected to the heating chamber, the other end of the bellows being stationary and connectediwith a supply conduit and valve means to admit fluid 'pressure thereto. j A

3. In a press, a. fra-me and cooperating jaws, one of the jaws being provided with a fluid receiving chamber and having an openat the upper jaw` 6.01l

yconvey fluidto the chamber, peripheral -corrugations made in the bellows to enable it to expand under fluid pressure and move the jaw, and valve means to regulate the flow of fluid pressure to the bellows.

4. In a press, cooperating jaws, one of the jaws being provided with a fluid receiving chamber, a combination motor means and flexible conduit connected to the last named jaw to move the jaw, a fluid connection between the motor means and the fluid receiving chamber, means by which the expansion of the flexible conduit is limited to insure against over distortion thereof, and valve means to admit fluid under pressure into the motor means.

5. In a press, cooperating jaws, one of the jaws being provided with a fluid receiving chamber, a combination motor means and flexible conduit connected to the last named jaw to move the jaw, a fluid connection between the motor means and the fluid receiving chamber, means connected to the same jaw with which the motor means is connected to fix the aw against movement beyond a fixed oint, and valve means to admit fluid under pressure to the motor means.

6. In a press, cooperating jaws, one 'of the jaws beinglprovided with a fluid receiving chamber, a combination motor means and flexible conduit connected to the last named jaw to move the jaw, a fluid connection between the motor means and the fluid receiving chamber, a link connected with the jaw and affording a lost motion connection with the frame, and stop means cooperating with the link to limit the travel of the jaw.

7. In a press, a frame and cooperating jaws, fluid-pressure actuated bellows mounted on the frame .in spaced relation and connected with one of the jaws and being expansible to move said jaw, and stop. means placed between the spaced bellows and connected between the frame and that jaw to which the bellows are connected to limit the movement of the jaw.

8. In a press, a frame and cooperating jaws, fluid-pressure actuated bellows mounted on the frame in spaced relation and connected with one of the jaws and being expansible to move said jaw, stop means placed between the spaced bellows and connected with the frame and with that jaw to which the bellows are connected, the stop-means including a link having a lost motion connection with the frame whereby the link moves as the bellows expand, and a yieldable bufferstop to limit the travel of the link and mov- -able jaw;

9. In a press, cooperating jaws. one of the jaws beingprovided with a fluid receiving chamber, a combination motor means and flexible conduit connected to the last named L jaw, whereby said motor means serves the purpose of a prime mover to exert force on the jaw, a fluid connection between the motor means and the jaw, and stop means to limit the action of the motor means and hence the movement of the jaw actuated thereby.

10. In a press, a frame and cooperating press jaws at least oneof which is provided with a heating chamber,a pair of diaphragms to move the jaw interposed between the frame and one jaw `having a heating chamber, a

passage connecting the chamber directly with each bellows, a steam supply pipe connected with each bellows whereby a circulation of steam is effected through the bellows and through the heating chamber, and throttlevalve means for each bellows-and each pipe to control the circulation of steam.

11. In a press, cooperating press jaws, one of the aws being movable and having'a fluid receiving chamber, a partition at each end of the jaw which divides the same into an upper and lower portion connected together at the outer ends, the jaw having passages therethrough at the inner ends ofthe partitions, a combination motor means andflexible conduit connected to the last named jaw to move the jaws, a i'luid connection between the motor means and the passages to'convey luid to. and from the chamber, Huid supply connections to the motor means, and valve means to admit fluid under pressure into the motor means.

In ltestimony whereof I aiix my signature.

JAMES CAMROD LEDBETTER. 

